Like many couples we’ve been fighting the uphill battle but have succumbed to the reality that our next car needs to be an electric, especially now that the auto makers have proven that they can make larger EVs that have both the size of their gas-guzzling gas SUV brethren, and are on par with the high-class Europeans models for both efficiency and style. So now the question comes up which one to choose? Well we’ve done some research and think that we’ve found one with a great combination of both performance and affordability that might fit for most of you. The Kia Niro.

It reads like an oxy-moron a new EV, with all of the latest technology, that you can actually afford but Kia pulled it off, so get over the name of the maker and just look at the numbers. The Niro has a base price of 37.5k but with the fed tax credit of 7.5k it should come in right about 30k. It has 239 miles of range and the battery charges much faster than early model EVs taking 54 minutes to reach 80% capacity.

Of course, everyone wants to know about the ‘extras’ and this has plenty. Sunroof, heated ventilated leather front seats, infotainment touch screen, full navigation, and a blaring Harman Kardon audio system. For the techies there are plenty of extras that are available including a wireless phone charger, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, multiple USB ports, and a heat pump to warm cabin air.

Now we’re a little ahead of the game here as this is the 2019 model and the dealers have just begun taking orders for it but this may be one you want to order early as Kia seemed to find a sweet spot for EV enthusiast that are ready to make the jump.

 

Here’s the Tale of the Tape:

                   2019 Kia Niro EV

Base Price – $37,495

PowerTrain – All-Electric, front mounted permanent-magnet motor and inverter. Liquid-cooled 64 kWh lithium-ion battery pack. DEC fast charge capacity Combined Charge System.

Charge Time – DC Fast to 80% Capacity in 54 minutes (100 kW) 75 Minutes (50kW) in 75 minutes; 9:35 hours to 100% Capacity

Power – 201 HP, 291 lb-ft

Length – 8.858 Feet

Width – 5.925 feet

0-60 MPH – 7 seconds

Luggage Capacity – 18.5 cubic feet with seatbacks up/53 cubic feet with rear seatbacks /Folded